HAL HLFT-42

{{Infobox aircraft begin

| name = Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42

| image = Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42 topview.jpg

| caption = HLFT-42 scale model displayed at Aero India (2023)

}}{{Infobox aircraft type

| type = Lead-in Fighter Trainer / Light Combat Aircraft

| national origin = India

| design group = Aircraft Research and Design
Centre (HAL)

| status = Under development

| primary user = Indian Air Force (Intended)

| developed from = HAL HJT 39

}}

The HAL HLFT-42 (Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer – 42) is a design for an Indian lead-in fighter trainer proposed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed as a next-generation supersonic trainer jet, serving as an advanced trainer for upcoming HAL Tejas Mk2 and HAL AMCA fighter jets. Notably, the HLFT-42 will also be used as a fully-fledged fighter jet to perform combat missions. HAL unveiled the design of the scale model of the HLFT-42 at the 14th edition of Aero India (2023), which was held in Bangalore.

The Indian Air Force has expressed its intent to use the HLFT-42 in the future to replace the existing BAE Hawk 132 jet trainers.{{cite web |type = media release | date = 10 February 2023 |title=Aero India 2023: HAL to Display Unique Aatmanirbhar Formation, Will Showcase HLFT-42 |url= https://hal-india.co.in/Aero%20India%202023%20HAL%20to%20Display%20Unique%20Aatmanirbhar%20Formation,%20Will%20Showcase%20HLFT-42/ND__407 |agency= Hindustan Aeronautics Limited}}{{cite web |last=Lake |first=Jon |date=20 February 2023 |title=Hindustan Aeronautics Unveils Lead-in Fighter Trainer Project |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-02-20/hindustan-aeronautics-unveils-lead-fighter-trainer-project |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120919/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2023-02-20/hindustan-aeronautics-unveils-lead-fighter-trainer-project |archive-date=20 February 2023 |work=Aviation International News}}

Development

The concept for the HLFT-42 was initiated in 2017, and officially unveiled at Aero India 2023 by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).{{cite web |last=Jha |first=Manish Kumar |date=1 June 2023 |title=HAL to develop a new advanced fighter jet trainer for the IAF |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-hal-to-develop-a-new-advanced-fighter-jet-trainer-for-the-iaf-3110264/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109041407/https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-hal-to-develop-a-new-advanced-fighter-jet-trainer-for-the-iaf-3110264/ |archive-date=9 November 2023 |website=The Financial Express}} As of February 14, 2023, HAL reported that the HLFT-42 development project had reached an advanced stage of development and was expected to progress to the final design stage within the next four to five years.{{cite news |last=Dighe |first=Sandip |date=15 February 2023 |title=Aero India 2023: 'HAL's fighter trainer jet in advanced analysis stage' |newspaper=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/aero-india-2023-hals-fighter-trainer-jet-in-advanced-analysis-stage/articleshow/97932794.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320111558/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/aero-india-2023-hals-fighter-trainer-jet-in-advanced-analysis-stage/articleshow/97932794.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=20 March 2023}} Its primary role is to replace the Indian Air Force's current BAE Hawk jet trainers and serve as the trainer for future fighter jets, including the HAL Tejas Mk2 and HAL AMCA. Additionally, it will be capable of performing combat missions.

In 2025, HAL revealed that it was redesigning the HLFT-42 following recommend actions from the IAF. HAL also plans to develop the HLFT-42 as the mothership for the HAL CATS unmmaned weapon system, replace the previously planned derivatives of HAL Tejas mk1A and the SEPECAT Jaguar. Reportedly HAL has not chosen an engine to power the aircraft.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-23 |title=HAL's HLFT-42 Undergoing Major Redesign Based-on IAF Feedback, Emerges as Potential Combat Jet, and Mothership for CATS Warrior |url=https://defence.in/threads/hals-hlft-42-undergoing-major-redesign-based-on-iaf-feedback-emerges-as-potential-combat-jet-and-mothership-for-cats-warrior.13013/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Defence News India |language=en-US}}

Design

File:Hindustan Lead in Fighter Trainer-42.jpg

HLFT-42 is designed as a single-engine, conventionally swept-wing aircraft with a bubble canopy. It is anticipated that maximum take-off weight of HLFT-42 will be around 16,500 kilograms. This aircraft will feature advance avionics, including an active electronically scanned array radar, infrared search and track sensor and electronic warfare (EW) suite, all complemented by a FBW system. The HLFT-42 mock-up displayed at Aero India (2023) showcased three hardpoints under each wing, three under the fuselage, and one on each wing tip, totaling 11 hardpoints for integrating weapons. These weapons may include close-combat-missiles (like ASRAAM) and beyond-visual-range missiles (such as Astra), which effectively transform the HLFT-42 into a fully-fledged fighter jet.

Specifications (Projected)

{{Aircraft specs

| prime units? = kts

| crew = 2

| length m = 16

| span m = 9

| height m = 4.6

| max takeoff weight kg = 16500

| fuel capacity = {{cvt|3500|kg|0}} internal

| hardpoints = Total of 11 with 6 underwing 2 wingtip and 3 under fuselage; holding up to 5000 kg (11,023 lb) of payload

| hardpoint missiles =

| hardpoint bombs =

| avionics = * LRDE Uttam AESA Radar

}}

References

External links

[https://hal-india.co.in/Aero%20India%202023%20HAL%20to%20Display%20Unique%20Aatmanirbhar%20Formation,%20Will%20Showcase%20HLFT-42/ND__407 HAL Official Website for details of Media Releases about HLFT-42]

Category:Indian military aircraft procurement programs

Category:Proposed military aircraft

HLTF-42

Category:Single-engined jet aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear